Temple celebrated stellar student achievement at the 20th annual Diamond Awards on April 29 in the Howard Gittis Student Center.
Hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, the ceremony recognized 24 undergraduate students who’ve exemplified excellence in leadership, academics, service to the university and community impact.
“The Diamond Awards are an opportunity for us to celebrate and honor the extraordinary achievements of our students,” said Deanne DeCrescenzo, associate dean of students. “They’ve accomplished remarkable things, both inside and outside the classroom, and we’re confident that they will continue to be changemakers and leaders in the future.”
The recipients represent schools and colleges across the university and include leaders of student organizations; service projects; and other initiatives at the local, national and global levels.
“Being a Diamond Award recipient feels like the final yet perfect candle on my graduation cake,” said Natalie Knox, a senior English major from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “I’m deeply rooted in the Division of Student Affairs, being a resident assistant, a managing editor of Lunar Journal, a sustainability volunteer and a student coordinator at the Cherry Pantry. Winning the award has been nothing short of spectacular, and I’m so grateful. It signifies that my efforts on campus have been meaningful, which is all I could ask for.”
“I am beyond honored to have received the Diamond Award alongside 23 other inspiring future leaders,” added Erin Mraz, a Levittown, Pennsylvania, native and senior public health major in the 4+1 master of public health program. “Connections I have made at Temple have provided me the opportunity to explore different avenues, leading me to volunteer at the Cherry Pantry, work at Campus Recreation and hold a leadership role with the Eta Sigma Gamma National Health Education Honorary Society. While I don’t participate in these activities for recognition, receiving the Diamond Award is really the cherry on top.”
View the complete list of Diamond Award winners for 2025.
College of Education and Human Development
Hannah M. Palmer, secondary education: social studies education, history concentration; adult learning, training and organizational development accelerated program
College of Engineering
Timilehin S. Olofinyolemi, electrical and computer engineering
College of Liberal Arts
Lourdes B. Cardamone, political science
Peyton A. Giordano, criminal justice
Natalie E. Knox, English
Hiu Kwok, criminal justice
Wendy Liu, political science
Madeline P. Ruder, economics and global studies
Jasmine C. Smith, history and Africology and African American studies
Kristina Vo, political science
College of Public Health
Matthew T. Dewhurst, public health
Hunter Gashi, public health
Lindsey Hoffman, public health
Amirah Malcolm, speech, language and hearing science
Erin M. Mraz, public health
Ashley V. Wright, public health
College of Science and Technology
Gopiga Dass, biology
Elle Nguyen, data science
Markella M. Vassil, biology
Fox School of Business
Minal M. Mistry, statistical science and data analytics; marketing
Klein College of Media and Communication
Flavia Astete-Garcia, advertising
Calistha T. Gunawan, communication studies
Alexandra R. Pombo, communication studies
Temple University Japan
Soren I. Dickson, international affairs